Electrical Repairs Near Me: When to DIY and When to Hire the Experts

When is it time to take to the web in search of an ‘electrician near me’ and when should you tackle the project yourself? If you’re facing this conundrum you’re not alone. We often hear from property owners who are on the fence as to whether they should do the work themselves or are in need of assistance after taking on a DIY project to no avail. At TCA Electric we understand that it can be tempting to save money in labor by taking on a DIY project. There are times that completing the work yourself can do just that. However, there are other times that attempting electrical work on your own can be both dangerous and incredibly expensive. Let’s take a closer look at when to DIY and when to find that experienced ‘electrician near me.’

When to DIY

Some projects are simple enough that a property owner, with a bit of experience, can safely and effectively complete them on their own. Here are a few examples:

–       Replacing a light switch or electrical outlet

–       Replacing a light fixture

–       Hanging a ceiling fan

While these are jobs you can take on yourself, we urge you to keep in mind that working with wiring of any sort is a dangerous job. If you are not experienced in working with electrical wiring, it’s best to leave it to the experts. If you are going to take on a DIY electrical project, take extra precaution. Make sure you have tripped the power before even removing an electrical plate. Prepare your workspace, make sure there is no water or liquid nearby and double check that the power is in fact turned off. You can test this by plugging a lamp or phone charger into an outlet. Once you’re positive that power is out and your workspace is safe, you’re ready to begin.

When to Hire a Licensed Electrician

In most cases, electrical work should be left to a licensed professional. The dangers associated with DIY electrical work, coupled with the risk of causing damage to your property, should make you think twice about taking on such a project on your own. Here are just a handful of examples of jobs that should be left to the pros:

• Running new wiring
• Replacing an electrical panel
• Replacing existing wiring
• Running electricity to an addition or new construction
• Any electrical work that requires a permit

Why Hiring an Electrician Can Actually Save You Money

Like any DIY home improvement project, electrical work is often more complicated than initially anticipated. All too often what starts as a simple project quickly becomes a costly repair job. In fact, we often hear from local property owners who have an emergency on their hands as a result of exposed wiring or worse. Between the cost of hiring us, plus runs to the hardware and hours of personal time, attempting the job themselves ends up being a losing prospect. In these cases, it’s less expensive and more efficient to hire an electrician from the beginning.

If you’re in doubt about your ability to complete the work, finding that ‘electrician near me’ is probably in your best interest. If you’re searching for an electrician in greater Vancouver, we encourage you to contact us! Allow us the chance to earn your business today and for years to come. Discover why we are North Vancouver’s favorite local electrician!

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